Clerodendrum or the tree of fate: what legend is associated with it, what kind of houseplant it is, what benefits it, as well as the nuances of care and a photo of a home flower

Plants bring diverse energies to our lives. Of course, everyone wants to have in their home those species that carry a favorable energy and positively affect our well-being and health.

Exotic, luxurious, unusual and delicate - all this is about Clerodendrum, this indoor flower is very loved by designers, it really gives only positive emotions. In this article you will learn about the features of growing a flower, about its types, proper care for it and methods of reproduction. We also recommend watching a useful video on the topic.

What is this plant?

In 1860, British missionaries discovered an amazing vine with large tassels of bright red flowers with white cups in the tropical forests of Nigeria (this species first came to Europe). The name Clerodendrum was given to her in honor of the wife of a priest who lived for a long time among wild African tribes.

This attractive plant has two poetic names: “Tree of Fate” and “Innocent Love”. The name of the plant - Clerodendrum - from Greek is translated as "tree of fate" (from kleros - fate and dendron - tree), according to an old legend, this flower is able to change life for the better, changing the fate of the inhabitants of the house.

ATTENTION: In some encyclopedias, Klerodendrum has another name - Volkameria, which in translation means “innocent love,” in ancient times it was called that.

Clerodendrum has an extensive range of different species of vines, trees and climbing shrubs and belongs to the verbena family. Its dark green heart-shaped leaves reach a length of 30 cm, flexible shoots wood over time. And flowers just like fluttering butterflies (in most species) are a very spectacular picture, moreover, they are collected in “rich” brushes or panicles. And each type of clerodendrum has its own unique delicate aroma.

Description and photos of the main types

Of the huge number of varieties of Clerodendrum, the main ones can be distinguished, which we will discuss below and show photos of flowers.

Thomson's

This is the most famous species, a beautiful climbing vine with huge bright green leaves; From the beginning of spring to mid-summer, large clusters of snow-white flowers with a bright red corolla appear on it.

Watch a video about the features of the Thompson maple dendrum:

Fragrant

Fragrant clerodendrum is a shrub (evergreen), grows up to 2 meters in height. It has delicate white flowers with a delicate citrus aroma, capable of blooming all year round.

The most beautiful

A large shrub (reaches 3 meters in height) blooms throughout the summer, bright purple flowers (like tropical butterflies) are collected in lush inflorescences.

Philippine

Shrub with velvety dark green leaves. Ball-shaped inflorescences are composed of delicate jasmine roses.

Ugandan

Shrub (curly), grows very quickly, blooms all year round (very plentiful) with fabulous lilac and blue flowers.

Watch a video about the features of the maple dendrum Uganda:

Buege

This is a liana, it pleases with its bloom all summer - large hats of bright pink stars look like a festive salute.

Which benefits?

Clerodendrum - an unusual plant, adapted to living at home recently, but its useful properties have already been noted. Surprisingly, Clerodendrum has a very positive effect on a person’s mood, improves well-being and, in general, helps to create a favorable atmosphere in the house, gives love.

In ancient Rome there was a cult of this plant, it was dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty Venus, they tried hard to propagate. In Southeast Asia, Clerodendrum leaves are successfully used for medicinal purposes.

Breeding

Clerodendrum can be propagated at home in two ways - seeds and cuttings:

Seed propagation - in early March, seeds are sown in soil (sand, peat, turf in equal parts) and kept in greenhouse conditions, with moderate humidity, always ventilating. Shoots should appear in about one and a half to two months, in the phase of the appearance of four true leaves they are dived into separate containers and after three or a month you can plant them in a permanent place.
Propagation by cuttings - The most convenient, of course, is to propagate the plant with cuttings, if you already have your own clerodendrum. In spring (you can also in summer), cuttings obtained during pruning are very easy to root in water. When the roots appear, we plant the cuttings in small pots and cover with glass caps from above, you can also use ordinary transparent bags.
It is necessary to ensure that the soil does not dry out, then the root system will develop normally. When new shoots with leaves begin to appear on the cuttings - carefully (by transshipment method), transplant them into larger pots and take care of them as an adult plant.

IMPORTANT: Do not forget to pinch the shoots for better plant formation.

Home Care

Clerodendrum, of course, is unpretentious and hardy plant, but if we want to achieve magnificent flowering, we will have to try to create conditions similar to natural ones for it.

Priming - good nutritious is needed, you can buy ready-made, but you can cook it yourself from humus, peat, turfy land, leafy land and fine sand, take everything in equal parts. The main thing is to disinfect the soil before planting.
Lighting - requires bright light, but not direct sunlight, you need to place the flower on the west or east window.
Temperature - in summer, the most optimal one is from 20 to 25 degrees, and in winter time it is necessary to provide a cooler content - about 15 degrees.
Watering - as the top layer dries, the frequency of watering depends on the ambient temperature - the cooler, the less watering (about 1 time in 4 to 5 days). Be sure to regularly spray the plant, as dry air is harmful.
Transfer - Young plants need to be transplanted every year (in early spring) by transshipment, and adults - once every 3 or 4 years. In the process of transplanting, it will be necessary to shorten the shoots to the third part, due to this flowering will be magnificent - inflorescences are formed only on young branches.
Top dressing - You can start to top dress in early spring and end in the fall (when the plant finishes blooming), the frequency is about 1 time in 10 days. It is best to use complex fertilizer.

You can find out about caring for clerodendrum at home, as well as see how the plant looks in the photo, here.

Growing Features

At home, any form of clerodendrum can be cropped.

Liana - with proper care in the apartment, a sufficiently long (up to 3 meters) liana can grow, form it and stimulate abundant flowering by pruning and it is imperative to provide support.
Bush - in the spring, as soon as the greens begin to bloom, twigs (young) must be cut. To form the trunk - you need one of the strongest shoot carefully cleaned of unnecessary branches (bottom); when it grows to 50 cm, you should pinch and also pinch all the new growing branches to make a lush crown.

TIP: You need to spray a home flower only in the evening, before sunset (to coincide with the biological clock) - at this time dew drops in its natural habitat.

Diseases and Pests

If the conditions for Clerodendrum are not entirely comfortable, then the plant naturally weakens over time and may be susceptible to attack by pests.

The most dangerous pests for it are whiteflies and spider mites.. Upon detection, you need to remove them as soon as possible with a soaped (household soap) sponge and treat the entire plant 3 times with insecticides (use Fufan, Fitoverm or Actellik), maintaining a weekly interval.

Regular spraying - prevention of attack of harmful insects.

Sometimes clerodendrum may suffer from fungal diseases (due to improper agricultural practices), you will need to remove the affected parts of the plant, treat with any fungicide and be sure to transplant into a new soil.

Also, with a lack of attention, Clerodendrum can manifest painful signs:

leaves turn yellow in summer - insufficient watering;
the stems are pulled out, the leaves become smaller - not enough light;
flowers and buds fall off - not enough fertilizing and dry air.

About why clerodendrum does not bloom and what kind of home care he needs, read here.

Conclusion

Clerodendrum was endowed with the ability to bring happiness and good luck in love (unlike all other vines). Well, what else can I say - we can say with confidence: if this flower appeared in your house, then harmony and beauty have settled with it, and after all they are companions of love. Everyone can grow a healthy and strong plant, capable of delighting everyone for a long time.